Kerikeri Rotary creates options

Kerikeri Rotarians want to hear from people who would like to get involved with its community development projects without the formality of joining Rotary. They also want residents of the town to use the group’s website (www.kerikerirotaryclub.org) to submit ideas for projects it can support.

The group built the community barbecues at the Stone Store Basin in 2009 and recently upgraded the facility by having stainless steel tops made and fitted to the two large picnic tables. Over the last couple of years the Club has been working with Vision Kerikeri to build the new Wairoa Stream walking trail, and has built 4 bridges from Alderton Park up to Cobham Road linking the Wairoa Stream track to the Wairere Falls.It has commenced building the 5th and tallest bridge further along the track, this project to be finished in September/October 2018

It is also heavily involved with youth development and local education initiatives and its major annual fund-raiser, the Kerikeri New World Rotary Garden Safari, is taking place this year on Saturday 27 October and Sunday 28 October 2018

Newly-elected Rotary Club of Kerikeri President Neil Blanchfield wants residents of the town to explore new ways of getting involved with the group. He has taken over from former President Keith Day and is continuing the group’s drive to attract new members and local community development projects of interest, including the rejuvenation of some of the earlier projects the club has previously provided in the Kerikeri area.

Mr Blanchfield said the 28-strong club was one of the most active and healthy in the Rotary District 9910 which includes 41 clubs from Auckland and Northland, and includes norfolk Island and Vauaturegion but that he wanted to encourage more professionals and parents of young families to join.

“We’re aware of the time and social pressures that people now operate under and we’re adapting to accommodate these, with the dropping of the once mandatory attendance and make ups at other clubs. We have also moved our meetings to the Homestead Restaurant on Mondays night and adapted the meeting schedule so that people if they chose will not have to stay (and pay) for the evening meal.” he said.

Anybody interested in becoming involved with Rotary projects or becoming a member of the Rotary Club of Kerikeri should send an email to secretary@kerikerirotaryclub.org